sioux81-85

President Teddy Roosevelt said without his time in North Dakota he would have never been the man he became. How many people who have come through UND have echoed the same sentence about this University? I was lucky enough to hear President Clifford talk about what his vision and purpose was for the University of North Dakota. To have the highest level of excellence in all departments with a strong humanities and liberal arts core. To give the student the best chance at becoming strong individuals with the ability to critically think, be excellent leaders and team members in the fields of endeavor they pursued. The excellence he built is still the bedrock of this University. Because of his leadership and dedication to the University and the State of North Dakota the highest honor given to a North Dakotan was bestowed to him - The Rough Rider Award. Some incredible people like Carl Ben Eielson, Judge Ronald N. Davies, Phil Jackson and Fido Purpur have been honored with the Rough Rider Award http://governor.nd.gov/theodore-roosevelt-rough-rider-award. North Dakota is the “Rough Rider State”, not the Bison State, and most certainly not the fighting hawk state. If you look at quality and character we strive to emulate in our students and student athletes there is no better name to call us than the Rough Riders. It can unite the whole state. It is not just some bird, animal or inanimate object. A Rough Rider is an ideal that every person who attends UND should take to heart and achieve. To be a Rough Rider like Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Clifford, Carl Ben Eielson, Judge Ronald N. Davies, Phil Jackson, Fido Purpur and other great North Dakotans. As I travel for work across the state our identity as a University is leaving fast. Very few stores have any UND apparel and gifts anymore. We need a new Identity and we need it now. UND by itself is not enough. We will always (and also) be North Dakota, but we need to carry forward the pride, history, heart and strength of a Rough Rider.

President Teddy Roosevelt said without his time in North Dakota he would have never been the man he became. How many people who have come through UND have echoed the same sentence about this University? I was lucky enough to hear President Clifford talk about what his vision and purpose was for the University of North Dakota. To have the highest level of excellence in all departments with a strong humanities and liberal arts core. To give the student the best chance at becoming strong individuals with the ability to critically think, be excellent leaders and team members in the fields of endeavor they pursued. The excellence he built is still the bedrock of this University. Because of his leadership and dedication to the University and the State of North Dakota the highest honor given to a North Dakotan was bestowed to him - The Rough Rider Award. Some incredible people like Carl Ben Eielson, Judge Ronald N. Davies, Phil Jackson, Fido Purpur, and John Odegard have been honored with the Rough Rider Award http://governor.nd.gov/theodore-roosevelt-rough-rider-award. North Dakota is the “Rough Rider State”, not the Bison State, and most certainly not the fighting hawk state. If you look at quality and character we strive to emulate in our students and student athletes there is no better name to call us than the Rough Riders. It can unite the whole state. It is not just some bird, animal or inanimate object. A Rough Rider is an ideal that every person who attends UND should take to heart and achieve. To be a Rough Rider like Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Clifford, Carl Ben Eielson, Judge Ronald N. Davies, Phil Jackson, Fido Purpur and other great North Dakotans. As I travel for work across the state our identity as a University is leaving fast. Very few stores have any UND apparel and gifts anymore. We need a new Identity and we need it now. UND by itself is not enough. We will always (and also) be North Dakota, but we need to carry forward the pride, history, heart and strength of a Rough Rider.